O'Connor's death "leaves a big void" at town hall, Town Engineer Michael Turner said. O'Connor, who worked until days before his death, was always laughing and smiling in spite of his illness, Turner called.

Turner praised O'Connor's dedication, knowledge and way with people.

"Sometimes you have to say, 'no,'" Turner said. "He had a way of telling them that so they didn't walk away mad."

O'Connor was 52 and lived in Rocky Hill. He graduated from Wethersfield High School in 1978 and earned a degree in industrial construction technologies from Central Connecticut University.

For more than 25 years, O'Connor was a master carpenter for his family's business, O'Connor Builders. In 1999 he became the town's chief building official.

Cromwell Town Planner Stuart Popper, who was Wethersfield's planner from 1995 to 2002, worked with O'Connor during his early years with the town. He recalled O'Connor Monday as a consummate professional.

"He was a great guy to work with and a true gentleman," Popper said.

O'Connor leaves a wife, two daughters and four brothers. His funeral was Saturday.

A memorial fund has been established to help with the family's higher education expenses. Donations may be made out to the Brian O' Connor Memorial Fund and sent to: Brian O'Connor Memorial Fund, Assistant Town Manager,Town of Wethersfield, 505 Silas Deane Highway, Wethersfield, CT 06109, or to Brian O'Connor Memorial Fund, Peoples United Bank,1310 Silas Deane Highway, Wethersfield, CT 06109.